I use profanity where it is accepted. I keep it down at work or church, and cuss like a sailor most other times, depending on present company. Some folks like it and some don't. There's nothing inherently sinful about a word, but I don't go out of my way to use certain words when I know I'm going to offend people around me...

...except you fuckers, of course.

Jasondcrum: I fully agree with the word 'hazard' when you combine my ass, a speedo and a couple of spun-up magnatron tubes in a big pot of boiling water thats probably spiked with a hint of some dudes baby batter.

The fancier the speech, the more the pretense. I have known people who pounded the table and used plenty of undeleted expletives: tired of dealing with and pandering to mealy-mouth b.s. artists.. One gentleman in particular eventually wound up as Chairman and CEO of a major bank.

Have you ever listened to President Bush's speeches? He tends to talk above what I would consider your average person. Yet the average person regards him as an idiot. Where as President Reagan and G Bush I talked more plan and presumably held on higher regards intellectually.

As for profanity? An occasional colorful word here or there is fine for men but I honestly think it is trashy for women.

Patty

"I wonder what it's like to lay the Blues Clues guy. Does he have to draw some pictures during foreplay? Is there a "find my wiener" song?" Originally posted by Bellona

Originally Posted By pattymcn:Have you ever listened to President Bush's speeches? He tends to talk above what I would consider your average person. Yet the average person regards him as an idiot. Where as President Reagan and G Bush I talked more plan and presumably held on higher regards intellectually.

As for profanity? An occasional colorful word here or there is fine for men but I honestly think it is trashy for women.

Patty

GW is no public speaker. Have you seen the "Bush-isms" calendar? His ability to misquote even the most mundane colloquialism tends to have this effect on listeners.

"History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives." -- Abba Eban

Originally Posted By pattymcn:Have you ever listened to President Bush's speeches? He tends to talk above what I would consider your average person. Yet the average person regards him as an idiot. Where as President Reagan and G Bush I talked more plan and presumably held on higher regards intellectually.

As for profanity? An occasional colorful word here or there is fine for men but I honestly think it is trashy for women.

Patty

GW is no public speaker. Have you seen the "Bush-isms" calendar? His ability to misquote even the most mundane colloquialism tends to have this effect on listeners.

I haven't seen it - however I have high regard for the man's intellect. I've listened to his major speeches and feel as if he's talking above his audience. I have no idea what blubbers he's made in this calendar but can only imagine more is to blame than his lack of intelligence.

Patty

"I wonder what it's like to lay the Blues Clues guy. Does he have to draw some pictures during foreplay? Is there a "find my wiener" song?" Originally posted by Bellona

No. I tend to use words that I feel the people I'm trying to communicate with can comprehend. I'll use a more limited vocabulary for a more limited audience. I'll use larger, more descriptive words if I feel my audience can understand what I'm trying to say.

Originally Posted By Wash-Ar15:as the commercial says"the words you use tell people about your education and background". Do you find this to be true in your own experience?

Also do you you use profanity in the company of well educated people?Does it shock them or open them up?

Yeah, I believe that is a factor. When you first meet somebody, what do you have to go on, really? You size them up on their appearance and (when they open their mouth) what they say. Anything more usually relies on an extended period of associating with the person.

As for profanity, there are two schools of thought, by two very famous Georges:

1. The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it. (George Washington)

2. An army run without profanity couldn't fight its way out of a piss soaked bag. (George Patton)

With regard to profanity, I admit mostly to be a follower of the Washington theory (who is reinforced by Dr. Martin Luther King's statement that use of profanity does not show force of argument, but lack of vocabulary) but there are times when Patton's school of thought has some merit.

Justin T. Huanglate of Kennett Square, PennsylvaniaNRA and GOA Life Member

Originally Posted By pattymcn:Have you ever listened to President Bush's speeches? He tends to talk above what I would consider your average person. Yet the average person regards him as an idiot. Where as President Reagan and G Bush I talked more plan and presumably held on higher regards intellectually.

As for profanity? An occasional colorful word here or there is fine for men but I honestly think it is trashy for women.

Patty

GW is no public speaker. Have you seen the "Bush-isms" calendar? His ability to misquote even the most mundane colloquialism tends to have this effect on listeners.

I haven't seen it - however I have high regard for the man's intellect. I've listened to his major speeches and feel as if he's talking above his audience. I have no idea what blubbers he's made in this calendar but can only imagine more is to blame than his lack of intelligence.

Patty

I don't think he is that bright. He has speechwriters and a teleprompter for his speeches yet still manages to screw up, but on the other hand, it could just be that he screws up due to the pressure of talking to the entire nation.

In a relaxed atmosphere, with nothing but non-work friends around us, I'm not sure you could judge anything by the way we spoke to one another. Other than we are close friends and comfortable around one another. However, that tells you nothing of character, education or disposition.

Mike Tyson uses a sophisticated vocabulary, does that make you think more of him?

George W. Bush uses a common vocabulary, does that make you think less of him?

Chuck Yeager speaks plainly as well -- what do you think of him?

It's a generalization. Many generalizations leave too much else to consider.

Language is the clothing of thought. If you never make critical distinctions in your thoughts then you will not make them in your language either. When you don't make them in your language, it may be that you are ignoring distinctions for rhetorical effect or because you are disingenuous or angry, tired, depressed, or confused. But the question is: when you don't make a distinction in your language, have you in fact made it in your thought? Because thought and emotion intermix, emotions can overrun critical thought, for example during anger. That's why arguments get stupid, and why it feels so good to swear when angry. Likewise for any passion and its expression in language.

Please put your name on the top of the quiz, and the date, before handing it in. You have 20 minutes.

GL

"Do not argue with every one, nor practise upon the man in the street: for there are some people with whom any argument is bound to degenerate." -- Aristotle. Topics 8.14